A Journal of a Trip in Southern Africa

By Eva Walter

A new genre in books: Reality Journal writing. This ebook includes word for word transcription from the author's notes including descriptions and drawings of her trip through Southern Africa. This Journal was merely a collection of memories to share with family until friends started asking for copies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eva Walter
• Release date: Mar 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458163653

Book preview

A Journal of a Trip in Southern Africa

Eva Walter

Copyright 2011 Eva Walter

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Vervet Monkey Foundation, Tzaneen, South Africa

Chapter 2 - EcoTraining. Drakensburg Escarpment, Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Chapter 3 - Capetown

Chapter 4 - Southern Africa by overland Truck. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe.

Chapter 5 - Baz Bus to Swaziland

Chapter 6 - The Journey Ends

Table of Images

Chapter 1: Vervet Monkey Foundation, Tzaneen, South Africa

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03 March 2004

The flight from NY turned out to be pleasant. Flew Boeing 747. Largest plane I’ve ever been on, I believe. The flight landed in Dakar, Senegal one hour early, and passengers traveling on to Johannesburg were not allowed to deplane, so we sat on the tarmac for roughly 2.5 hours while passengers got off or on. Five AM when we landed, so still dark out. The airport was little more than one landing strip with a few parking spots for planes and buses to transfer passengers to an unseen terminal. At 6:30 am as we taxied down the runway, I watched the sun rise over the city of Dakar. Beautiful white stucco 2 or 3 story luxury buildings were what I imagine Tuscany or Greece might look like.

At the end of the runway, we turned around for takeoff. I saw the view on the west side of the landing strip and instead of a paradise, saw poverty. So close geographically, so far apart economically. The plane lifted off and flew out over the Atlantic again before circling around. Before we were too high, I saw just the stunningly beautiful villas on the shoreline.

05 March 2004

After landing in Johannesburg, South Africa and spending a short night, I took a long distance bus from Jo’Burg to Tzaneen. 7.5 hours. Arrived at the Vervet Monkey Foundation after working hours were over, but in time for dinner – beans and salad. The group seems nice enough. Tried to put off using the long-drop toilet, but that only works so long. It’s 7:30 pm and pouring rain. Tent Village really is simply tents. You lay out your sleeping bag on a foam pad and that’s it. We are provided a Rubbermaid bin to keep some clothes dry. From my tent, the monkey enclosures are 12 feet away. Bandit monkeys are those monkeys that are roaming free or break into Tent Village. I have only had instructions to carry a large stick and don’t look them in the eye or raise my eyebrows at them, as it will antagonize them. The pathways are simple dirt trails between the tents.

I seem to be quite lucky, as my tent only leaks in spots (so far) and I am still mostly dry.

06 March 2004

First full day and I was permitted to sleep late due to travelling for 2 days. Woke at dawn but stayed in my tent until 8. Rose to see the others off to work, then tried to sleep some more. Went to the house for Tea-time and from there was meant to have orientation, but Arthur had to go to town for supplies, then to fetch a monkey from Pietersberg. Arthur has offered me the opportunity to go on an expedition to some waterfalls tomorrow. I pitched in today and met some of the handlers. Richard is the nicest so far, very friendly and hard-working. We sorted through the monkey food, which is really just garbage (older bread and past-peak fruit) donated by businesses in town. Then we arrange into buckets and distribute to various enclosures.

It rained off and on all day today and is pouring again tonight. Hermann dug a ditch around my tent in an attempt to keep me dry.

I asked about a giant bug I saw and first learned it as a miller bug. I later realized it was what I know as a millipede. Just one example of how accents and language translations affected everything I learned.

07 March 2004

Today is Sunday, so we only work the main feed. At 8:00 am we started by washing the bowls, then washed the lettuce and split fruit to distribute to the various enclosures. After just one full day, I’m much more comfortable and am able to walk around alone now. A gentle wa-purrrrr is a vervet hello, so I make sure to purr whenever a bandit approaches.

Had orientation with Arthur H., who seems to be recognized as the leading expert on Vervet monkeys. An excellent long talk about the progress so far on the cause. Vervets are on the world’s endangered species list, yet the Republic of South Africa (RSA) has classified them as vermin since 1973. Limpopo Province, where the foundation is located, has reclassified Vervets and they are no longer allowed to be shot by farmers. The Northern & Mpumalanga Provinces are set to vote on the issue within the coming months.

Here in Limpopo, we are in the middle of a rain forest and the weather tends to be unpredictable. It was hot and sunny this AM while we worked, but is raining yet again. The situation with the tent is endurable, but with another volunteer arriving tonight, I am afraid of the puddles being tracked to my side of the tent.

08 March 2004

10 PM. 31 degrees Celsius.

This morning, my first official duty was to walk around every monkey enclosure and monitor the monkeys, reporting any injuries, runny eyes or noses, or dirty (diarrheal) tails. There are hundreds – 405 presently – in the enclosures, so we throw corn to get different monkeys to approach the fences. At the same time, it is necessary to ward off the bandits who try to attack to get some corn. The dogs are a big help, and we also throw corn away from ourselves to divert the bandits.

After lunch I worked babies. Ten new orphans were brought in and we fed them in the Skunkie(a) enclosure (see image above). They are so different than I anticipated. I expected something like a cat, but they are extremely light and nimble – more like birds in their ability to move, but like humans with dexterity. They can drop onto your shoulder from 3-4 feet and you only feel a slight pressure. They love shoelaces and anything they can pull on or put into their mouths. We always secure all objects when we enter the enclosure or risk losing them. Double-knot shoelaces,

Reviews for A Journal of a Trip in Southern Africa

[Wayne Keightley · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Too many spelling mistakes. Too many factual errors, for example that we don't have paper products, automatic washing machines, dishwashers etc. What absolute nonsense. A silly little book, badly written.